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Washington, DC - Throughout America we have strict laws that are designed to ensure the protection of all children, yet motor vehicle crashes continue to be one of the leading causes of death among children. In order to combat these staggering statistics, Americans across our nation will observe February 10-16 as National Child Passenger Safety Week. This week is designed to send the message that young children should be placed in booster seats while riding in a car. Child safety seats protect children against serious car injuries and save lives.
According to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, each year about 1,200 children die and an additional 265,000 are injured while riding in a car. Many of these accidents involved children who were not placed in a car seat. While car seats will reduce the risk of death by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers, adults continue not to use child safety seats for their toddlers. Consider the following statistics:
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Approximately 1/3 of the children in Houston between the ages of 1-4, are not restrained at all (about 8% of children this age are held in laps, 10% in seatbelts).
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Half of the children in Houston 5-14 years old are not restrained at all.
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Less than 2% of 5-8 year old children are adequately restrained in booster seats
It is also reported that if the adult in the car is not wearing a seat belt, more than likely the child will not be properly secured. Furthermore, some parents are under the misconception that a bigger, stronger vehicle means complete safety for them and their family. Consequently, they become more relaxed and disregard the need for proper seat-belt protection for themselves and their children.
Child Safety Week is also devoted to informing the public that only properly secured car seats provide the utmost protection against injury or death during a car accident. The use of seat belts and safety seats are simply not enough. Before a seat is even properly installed, it must be proportionate to the child’s body and to the car itself. For example, booster seats are recommended for children who weigh over 40 pounds and are less than 4'9" tall--this is most children between the ages of 4 and 8. Furthermore, depending on the age of the child, the safety seat should be placed facing the front or back of the car. Whether they are placed in safety seats or wearing seatbelts, all children age 12 and under should ride in the back seat.
Without the correct information, the use of a safety seat will not save a child. For more information on child passenger safety, parents and families can receive a free video and brochure on proper car seat installation and safety belt use from the National Safe Kids Campaign by calling, toll free, 1-800-441-1888. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also has an Auto Safety Hotline, 1-800-424-9393. For further information you may also refer to: http://www.safekids.org
I hope parents and families will use these resources to learn more about the proper use of child safety restraints. With the implementation of proper steps, we can improve the safety for all children and reduce these horrific statistics.
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